EXTENT OF DISEASE ON HIGH-RESOLUTION CT LUNG IS A PREDICTOR OF DECLINE AND MORTALITY IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS-RELATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE

Abstract

Objectives We sought to determine whether the extent of disease on high-resolution CT lung (HRCT), measured using a simple grading system,[1] is predictive of decline and mortality in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), independently of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and other prognostic variables. Methods SSc patients with a baseline HRCT performed at the time of ILD diagnosis were identified. All PFTs performed during follow-up were retrieved. Demographic and disease-related data were prospectively collected. HRCTs were graded according to the percentage of lung disease seen; >20% - extensive, <20% - limited, unclear - indeterminate. Indeterminate HRCTs were co..